The Honorable (Name)
United States House of Representatives
Washington, D.C. 20515

Dear Congressman/Congresswoman (Name)

Direct postal correspondence to your Senator as demonstrated below:

The Honorable (Name)
United States Senate
Washington, D.C. 20510

Dear Senator (Name)

Making Phone Calls

You may phone the U.S. Capitol Switchboard 24 hours a day at (202) 224-3121. A switchboard operator will connect you directly with the office you request.

Helpful Tips

Personal letters are one of the most effective ways Americans have of influencing Congress Members. It's wrong to think members of Congress pay little or no attention to constituent mail. Members of Congress receive hundreds of letters and emails every day and have dedicated staff who work to handle that mail and respond to their consituents.

It is best to send letters to the representative from your local Congressional District or the Senators from your state. Your vote helps elect them -- or not -- and that fact alone carries a lot of weight. Most Members have a standing policy to only respond to their own constituents, and to forward the letters of others to their own elected official.

If you want a response, you must include your name and address, even when using phone or email.

Personalizing your letter is more effective than sending the same "cookie-cutter" message as thousands of others. In the letter, identify yourself and your reason for writing. Be sure to state that you are a constituent, who lives or works in their district. Include information about your profession and other personal information (example: I am a…physician, nurse, nurse practitioner, physician’s assistant, pharmacist, patient, advocate, etc.).

Your letter should address a single topic or issue. Provide detail. Focus on the factual over the emotional. Provide specific rather than general information about how the topic affects you and others. If a certain bill is involved, cite the correct bill title or number whenever possible. Close by requesting the action you want taken: a vote for or against a bill, or change in general policy. The best letters are courteous, to the point, and include specific examples.